Boston College Eagles vs Kansas Jayhawks preview: Friday night football
The Boston College Eagles toss their hats into the ring for some Friday night fun when they play host to the Kansas Jayhawks.
A chance to start 3-0 for the second consecutive year looms large for the Boston College Eagles when they face the Kansas Jayhawks on Friday night.
Boston College has been efficient on offense, again delivering on big plays as needed despite some red zone troubles. The Eagles are putting up 40 points per game, averaging 475 yards on offense. Wins over Virginia Tech and Richmond even has Boston College collecting votes in the Coaches and AP polls.
The defense is allowing 403 yards per game, but bumps along the road were expected as head coach Steve Addazio was replacing nearly all the starters on that side of the ball. The reloaded unit has been solid and held strong in a Week 1 victory against Virginia Tech.
Opportunities to succeed on both sides of the ball should favor the Eagles on Friday. Kansas (1-1) opened the season with a 24-17 win over Indiana State (a FCS team). The Jayhawks followed that up with a 12-7 loss to Coastal Carolina.
This is the first-ever matchup on the gridiron between the two schools.
Time, location and where to watch
Location: Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, MA
Time: 9/13/2019 at 7:30 (ET)
Television: ACC Network
Boston College Eagles
If you haven’t heard of freshman receiver Zay Flowers yet, it’s time to get acquainted.
In two games, Flowers has become another electrifying element added to an already potent group of playmakers.
He’s carried the ball six times for 117 yards and one score. For good measure, Flowers has also contributed 2 catches for 91 yards and one touchdown. The offense in the past few seasons has utilized receivers as runners in the running game and it looks like Flowers will fill that role in 2019.
Flowers has helped the running attack average 251.5 yards in the first two games. AJ Dillon is the leading rusher with 167 yards with David Bailey totaling 135. Dillon has three touchdowns and Bailey is averaging 5.4 yards per carry.
Complimenting the strong ground game, Anthony Brown has thrown for 438 yards and five touchdowns. Brown’s completion percentage is still under 60 percent, but he hasn’t thrown an interception and has completed passes to ten different receivers.
On defense, even as new players are settling into starting roles, the one thing the team hasn’t forgotten how to do is make interceptions. Boston College has six this season even as opponents are averaging 246.5 passing yards per game.
A better pass rush could help as the Eagles only have three sacks in two games.
Linebacker Max Richardson and defensive back Mike Palmer each have 16 tackles to lead the team.
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Kansas Jayhawks
Kansas head coach Les Miles may one day lead the Jayhawks back to relevance on the football field.
It may just take awhile.
The Jayhawks have struggled, at least on the offensive end, through two games. Kansas is only averaging 312 yards of total offense.
Running back Pooka Williams, Jr, who had 1,125 yards on the ground in 2018, has been splitting time with Khalil Herbert so far in 2019. Williams has 22 carries for 101 yards while Herbert has 25 for 185 and one score.
The passing game hasn’t been much better. Quarterback Carter Stanley is 33-48 for 348 yards but he was only 13-19 for 107 yards in the loss to Coastal Carolina.
Wide receiver Andrew Parchment leads the team with 11 catches for 135 yards.
On defense, coach Miles has the team playing well. Two players to keep an eye on are junior linebacker Dru Prox and senior defensive end Darriius Moragne. Prox has 20 tackles and Moragne has 10 tackles to go along with two sacks.
Prediction
Kansas has a chance to do a little bit of damage in the ground game with Herbert and Williams. Ball control on offense and a solid defense could very well keep this game close.
Next. Boston College Eagles: 5 impact players to watch in 2019. dark
Boston College, however, should have more than enough firepower to win this one, going away. Even if the defense gives up some yards, I see Dillon getting his first 100-yard game of the season. And you might as well book a huge play from Flowers as well. Boston College 31 Kansas 13